While it's true that I have vilified the VIA mass transit system in these pages before for being very inconvenient and underutilised, there is a facet to San Antonio's VIA system that you might never consider unless you happen to be a tourist visiting the city. It's the trolley system, and it affords easy access to most anywhere you want to get to in the downtown area. It's not just for tourists - locals use it too!

SAN ANTONIO TROLLEY


Downtown VIA streetcar routes:

Yellow Route
Runs along Commerce, Durango, Flores and Market streets with stops near the Alamodome, Convention Center, Market Square, Ellis Alley Park & Ride at St. Paul Square, Institute of Texan Cultures, Rivercenter mall, Sunset Station and the Tower of the Americas.
Hours: 7 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Red Route
Runs along Houston, Alamo, Nueva, South St. Mary’s and Market streets with stops near the Alamo, Convention Center, Market Square, HemisFair Park, La Villita, Rivercenter mall and the San Antonio Information Center.
Hours: 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Purple Route
Runs along Bowie, Durango, Alamo, Commerce, Frio, Dolorosa and Market streets with stops near the Alamodome, Convention Center, Market Square, HemisFair Park, Institute of Texan Cultures, La Villita, Rivercenter mall and the Tower of the Americas.
Hours: 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Blue Route
Runs along Flores, South Main, South Alamo, Avenue E, Lexington, San Pedro and Fourth streets with stops near the Alamo, Blue Star Arts Complex, Central Library, Convention Center, HemisFair Park, King William Historic District, La Villita, Municipal Auditorium, Rivercenter mall, the San Antonio Information Center and Southtown.
Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Streetcars come to each stop about every 10 minutes.

Cost: One dollar per ride, payable by cash, streetcar token and one day or monthly VIA Big Pass. Tokens and passes available at the VIA Downtown Information Center, 260 E. Houston St., and some downtown hotels. Discounts available for seniors, children and mobility impaired. (***Locals should check out the rates for seniors with a VIA ID.)